KUALA LUMPUR: In spite of his firm demeanour, the late Tan Sri Dr Ani Arope will be remembered as a warm hearted and generous man who always cared for the people around him.
The former executive chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) passed away yesterday at the age of 82 and it was discovered that he had more than 50 adopted children, who are from various background and race.
His youngest son, Ismail, 42, said even the family did not know exactly the number of Ani’s adopted children.
“He had so many adopted children, some are abroad. My late father loved to help people, especially to those who want to further their education,” he said.
Ani died of prostate cancer at about 5.10 am here. He is survived by wife, Puan Sri Saenah Ahmad, and three children, besides the adopted children.
He was buried at the Shah Alam Muslim cemetery in Section 21.
According to Ismail, Ani did not tell the family about him having cancer and that they only found out about it in 2010 and at that time he was diagnosed with fourth stage cancer.
Since then, family members always spent time with him and the most memorable time we had was when we performed the umrah as a family in 2011, he added.
It was like Ani knew the end was near for him that in one of his Facebook postings last June 6, he wrote:
“Prostate cancer patients have an average lifespan of 5 years. Statistically speaking it would be my time to go by December. Just watch me.”
Those who used to work with him when he helmed TNB as executive chairman from 1992 to 1996, remembered him as a man who was firm and with integrity. — Bernama